BUDDHIST rock carvings were unveiled in Wales yesterday – the first time they have been seen outside their cultural home of China.

The sculptures, carved into the Dazu hillside by Chinese Buddhists, went on display for a new exhibition at the National Museum, Cardiff.

Wales was chosen as the sole destination of the stones because of the cultural partnership between the National Museum and the Chinese municipality of Chongqing.

The exhibition – From Steep Hillsides: Ancient Rock Carvings from Dazu, China – features 48 items dating as far back as the 10th century with the heaviest weighing half a tonne.

Andrew Renton, the exhibition curator, said: “We were offered this collection of sculptures as a possible exhibition about two years ago now and we have been working on it ever since.

“Obviously it is a very exciting thing to be offered and in the last year we have been working very hard to make it happen.”

Carving figures into sandstone became a local tradition in Dazu from the seventh century onwards and there are thought to be 50,000 figures altogether.

The Chinese media were particularly interested to see how the historical monuments went down. The Xinhua news agency, China central TV and China Times were all in attendance to see the monuments on the first day in their new, temporary home.

“They are really delighted,” Mr Renton said.

“This is the first time these things have ever left China.

“It is very important for them that they should give a good impression to the outside world, and they seem delighted with the way things look.”

Li Fangyin, the curator of Art Museum of Dazu Rock carvings, said: “Wales is such a place that is steeped in history and cultures, and the rich historical deposits embedded with her are exactly why we chose the National Museum.”

The exhibition is free to attend, and 10,000 people are expected to visit by the time it finishes on Sunday, April 3.